Why are People so Reluctant to Talk about Hell?

If you haven’t noticed the topic of hell is very popular these days, and for good reason.

When we talk about hell, we are speaking of how God deals with evil. We are talking about his character. We are talking about real flesh and blood people, friends, mothers, fathers, siblings, sons and daughters. Hell matters and deserves attention and study.

Until a few years ago I wasn’t even aware that there were differing views on hell within the Christian tradition. Upon learning this I did a lot of research into the topic, and I owe the people at Rethinking Hell a great debt of gratitude for providing a lot of enlightening material on the topic, specifically on Conditional Immortality.

There are variations of this view, but in general Conditional Immortality holds that scripture teaches that only God is immortal, and eternal life is conditioned on being in Christ. The Bible says many things about the fate of lost, including destruction, perishing, and everlasting punishment, with the punishment being death itself (“for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life”).

My purpose for this article is not to discuss the specifics of this doctrine. If you would like to learn more, I can’t think of a better place than Rethinking Hell. They have their own website, Facebook page and discussion group, as well as a podcast all under the same name.

What I really want to discuss is why are people (particularly those in ministry) so reluctant to talk about this topic? I’ve had discussions over the years about this topic in person and online and I’ve noticed a couple of trends.

For one, many have never heard that there are alternative views of hell. Upon sharing my views on Conditional Immortality, most have commented that it makes a lot of sense. Perhaps you could chalk some of that up to the reluctance of some people to get into disagreements in real life conversations, especially on such a controversial topic; however I could really see the light come on for them, so to speak, in these discussions.

It’s a different story with those in ministry. There is a lot of resistance to even talk about the topic, other than to reiterate the common teaching on the subject.

My question is “Why?”

Hell is, well, hellish. Even if you don’t subscribe to the Jonathan Edwards view of hell, and hold hell as eternal separation, you still have a horrible fate awaiting people. Humans are social creatures, and studies have shown that solitary confinement is one of the cruelest forms of punishments. It should make people shudder to think of someone living in isolation for all eternity.

If there was another view that had scriptural support, wouldn’t you at least want to explore it? These are people we’re talking about after all. It’s not some abstract doctrine. While I don’t like to speculate on people’s motives, I have developed a couple of theories on why this is a topic that those in ministry don’t want to touch. These theories are interconnected and overlap.

1. They want hell to be an eternal conscious experience.

This might seem incredulous, but unfortunately it’s a very real thing. You wouldn’t think someone who has experienced the love and forgiveness of Jesus would wish such a fate on another person, but even a friend of mine (who’s a Conditionalist now) admitted that he had formerly reveled in the thought of people being in agony for all eternity. There were a number of theologians throughout the centuries who held that one of the joys of heaven would be to watch people burn in hell.

There is a certain trap we can fall into that wishes grace for ourselves but judgment on others. It certainly doesn’t always manifest itself in wishing hell upon another individual, but we should be well aware that indulging ourselves in vindictive fantasies, even small ones, can lead there.

2. They believe in hell as a prime motivator to follow Jesus.

In conversations on this topic people have said to me “If hell isn’t an eternal conscious existence, then what is the point of following Jesus?” I’ve been dumbfounded by this statement. I’ve heard it more than once, and I have no doubt that the clergy are keenly aware of this sentiment. Heaven is the carrot, and hell is the stick.

“If you died tonight, do you know where you’d spend eternity?”

Hell is often used a motivator to get people to “make a decision” for Christ.

‘Wouldn’t you like to know that you’d go to heaven when you die?’

‘Well, sure.’

‘Would you like to avoid going to hell?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘Well, let’s make a deal.’

If you grow your church in the manner, you might be afraid those same people would file out upon hearing that hell isn’t as advertised.

3. They are afraid of losing their jobs.

Many Christian universities and churches have their staff sign statements of faith affirming certain doctrinal points. Hell being eternal conscious torment or eternal separation is often one of them. While I never was in a paid staff position, I did spend time in a volunteer leadership position at a church. Even though there would be no economic repercussions, I was afraid to voice my opinion, especially when the pastor just preached on the topic. If my livelihood depended on it, I doubt I’d be as open about my belief in Conditional Immortality as I have become.

4. Some fear if they’re wrong about hell that they’ll go to hell themselves.

This isn’t unique to the doctrine of hell. For some, doctrine is of such importance that it determines whether someone is a Christian or not, rather than faith in Christ. This overlaps with point #2. If you thought that hell being an eternal conscious experience was the prime motivating factor for following Christ, and you taught something else that caused people to leave the faith, then you’d be in danger of judgment yourself.

A friend of mine, who debates this topic defending Conditional Immortality, has had his opponents tell him that he is going to hell. I can’t imagine how a believer can be that presumptuous.

Of course people can study this topic and be convinced of the traditional view. I respect that. I don’t expect people to adopt my position, but I think it’s reasonable to discuss these things in a loving manner. After all, if something is true it will hold up to scrutiny.

Make no mistake, this conversation is already happening and needs to happen. People might try to ignore it, or attempt to shut it down with appeals to authority and tradition, but eventually every believer will need to grapple with this topic, especially those in full time ministry.

The good news is disagreements over this topic don’t have to lead to fracturing and breaking off fellowship with one another. My prime motivation for discussing this topic is the vindication of Gods character, but I also hope that through this we will learn to have unity in Christ in spite of disagreements.

2 comments

Have you read “The Evangelical Universalist” and other books by Dr Robin Parry of England? They are very enlightening, and another great one is, “Hope Beyond Hell”, by the missionary, Gerry Beauchemin. His book and a new one coming out soon can be read or heard on audio book at

Altar & Throne

Help Support Altar & Throne

Do you like what you're seeing here? Help support us to keep the content comin'!

Bitcoin:

Paypal:

Affiliate

Many of us here at Altar & Throne have had our horizons expanded through Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom, and believe in and endorse this product. Join today to get the education you've never received before!